Are you like the Wise Men?

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12
[1]Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 
[2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. [3] When Herod the king had heard these things , he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
[4] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 
[5] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 
[6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 
[7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him , bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
 [9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
 [11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 
[12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

   From Genesis 41 until 1 Corinthians 10:15, there are references to Wise Men in the Bible. Sadly, this title is often bestowed on people who are wise in worldly things, and not in God. Apart from Daniel, these men from the East are the only Wise Men whose focus is on God. (* The term Wise Men can refer to Philosophers, Priests, or Astronomers.)  

   We know very little about these them other than…
 · They are from the East – v.1
 · They knew a King was born – v.2
 · They had seen His star – v.2
 ·  They were come to worship Him – v.2
 · They had followed the Star – v.9
 · They rejoiced at the Star – v.10
 · They came where the Child was – v.11
 · They worshipped Him – v.11
 · They presented Him with 3 gifts – v.11
 · They departed to their own country – v.12
 · They were warned of God in a dream – v.12  

     These facts do not tell us how the men traveled, what they wore, how long they traveled, what country they came from and returned to, how many there were, when they first say the star, or even what they said in worship to the Child.
    These are facts we’d enjoy knowing, but God does not say, because they are not that important.
   What is important?   These wise men came looking for the True King, when no one else was looking for Him, not even His own people. They came with gifts, fit for a King and they worshipped Him.
 An interesting thought, we don’t know if they expected a young child, or if they anticipated a grown man as this new King, but we read in verse 2 that they came to worship Him and in verse 11 when they came where the child was, they worshipped. Perhaps, the young child, Jesus, was not what they anticipated, but they still knew He is the True King and they worshipped Him. They did not reject Him because He was not what they expected, they took Him as He is and worshipped Him.
    If we had more details about these Wise Men our flesh would still desire more, we are not satisfied, but God gave us the details that are important, the Wise men worshipped God’s Son, The King of the Jews, the Saviour of mankind, Jesus.


   Are you a Wise Man? Have you accepted Jesus as He is?  The wise men believed and worshipped. Have you believed that Jesus is God, He is the King, He is the Saviour of Sinful men?

    Jesus came into this world, because men are sinners, Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

   Jesus came to make a way for sinners to be reconciled to God, to wipe away those wages of death. He did this by dying on the cross, being buried in a tomb and rising again three days later. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

   Why would Jesus do this? John 3:16, For God so LOVED the WORLD that he GAVE his only begotten Son that whosoever Believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

     Can you worship Him as Saviour today?